 Laura
Massey
Read Archaeology and Anthropology,
Oct 2001 - June 2004
and M Phil in Biological
Anthropology
at Clare Oct 2004 -
June 2005
Clare is a great college
and definitely one of the most beautiful - you only have to see
Clare bridge to realise this. The Fellows' Gardens and Old Court
are pretty nice too. But apart from being a gorgeous place
to live, the college has a wicked social scene and a lively, friendly
atmosphere. Clare Ents (entertainment nights) are renowned throughout
the university - from chilled out jazz (very cool) to rather more
hardcore drum and bass - not forgetting the traditional cheese fest
nights (always good!). There are weekly pub quizzes and the bar
has pool, tv and a football table. Memorial Court probably offers
the best first-year accommodation in Cambridge and is right next
to the University Library. There is also the annual May Ball (very
swanky), which takes place in the gardens with live bands and is
not to be missed.
If you are musical, then
Clare is definitely the place for you - on the other hand if you
are like me and musically challenged, then Clare still offers lots,
especially in the way of sports. There are amazing sports pitches
(including a wonderful grass tennis court). I play football for
college and also for the University team, which is a bit more hard
core. I must also admit to being one of the innumerable mad rowers
in Cambridge and now get called 'boatie' by all my mates who think
I'm insane for getting up at 6am everyday and donning hideous lycra!!
But really it's worth it. Clare has an excellent boat house and
there is a fun, supportive atmosphere.
Arch and Anth is a really
good course. The first year is very varied and just fascinating
- in Archaeology we learned about the earliest hominids in the Paleolithic,
right up to the Romans. There are 8 lectures a week, and a couple
of supervisions, which really are one of the best features of academic
life in Cambridge because you get an hour to discuss your essays
and the topic in great detail with an expert. There is also the
odd bio-anth practical, where you get to play with monkey and hominid
skulls. The facilities, such as the Haddon library and the Arch
& Anth museum, are excellent. In the third term, first years go
on a fieldtrip to Stonehenge and Avebury, which is great for making
friends with first years from different colleges.
In my second year, I chose
to specialise in Biological Anthropology and I couldn't have made
a better choice. Due to the varied nature of the course, there was
always something to capture my interest. Amongst other things, we
studied genetics, paleobiology, primates, nutrition and anatomy
(which has some pretty interesting practicals). And our seminar
course on the evolution of culture provided another refreshing angle
to the course.
Academia aside, I have
also been part of the May Ball Committee, which was challenging
yet hugely exciting, and I am still playing all the college sports
possible. I just don't want my time at Cambridge to end.
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